Prenylation Defects and Oxidative Stress Trigger the Main Consequences of Neuroinflammation Linked to Mevalonate Pathway Deregulation

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Jul 25;19(15):9061. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19159061.

Abstract

The cholesterol biosynthesis represents a crucial metabolic pathway for cellular homeostasis. The end products of this pathway are sterols, such as cholesterol, which are essential components of cell membranes, precursors of steroid hormones, bile acids, and other molecules such as ubiquinone. Furthermore, some intermediates of this metabolic system perform biological activity in specific cellular compartments, such as isoprenoid molecules that can modulate different signal proteins through the prenylation process. The defects of prenylation represent one of the main causes that promote the activation of inflammation. In particular, this mechanism, in association with oxidative stress, induces a dysfunction of the mitochondrial activity. The purpose of this review is to describe the pleiotropic role of prenylation in neuroinflammation and to highlight the consequence of the defects of prenylation.

Keywords: cholesterol; neuroinflammation; oxidative stress; prenylation.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cholesterol / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Mevalonic Acid* / metabolism
  • Neuroinflammatory Diseases*
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Prenylation

Substances

  • Cholesterol
  • Mevalonic Acid

Grants and funding

The financial support of Telethon—Italy (Grant no. GEP14111) is gratefully acknowledged.